Free And Modern Jazz From Japan

Milt Jackson - Milt Jackson At The Museum Of Modern Art (1965) {Verve Originals rel 2008 B0011221-02}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 275 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 97 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 17 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1965, 2008 Verve / Universal | B0011221-02 | Verve Originals
Jazz / Hard Bop / Modal Music / Soul Jazz / Vibes

One of the hippest Milt Jackson albums of the 60s – a set that definitely lives up to its Museum Of Modern Art setting! The performance is one of the most famous from that museum's well-remembered series of 60s jazz concerts – and it features Milt Jackson's quintet really stretching out nicely – hitting sharper tones and bolder notes than in some of their other sessions of the decade, and possibly picking up a freer feel overall in the live setting. Milt's vibes are wonderfully accompanied by the reeds of Jimmy Heath and piano of Cedar Walton – both players who mix soul and modern elements in the same sort of perfect blend that Jackson hits. And the rhythm section is tightly snapping and soulful – never too groove-oriented, but always conscious of a sense of a swing – thanks to bass from Ron Carter and drums from Candy Finch.

Milt Jackson & John Coltrane - Bags & Trane (1959) {2006 Japan Mini LP Edition, WPCR-25108}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 386 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 135 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 8 Mb
© 2006 Atlantic | WPCR-25108 | 24-bit remaster
Jazz / Hard Bop

As John Coltrane moved from music rich in chordal complexity to a newer, freer form of modality–in which melodic and rhythmic freedom came to the fore–some critics couldn't make the imaginative leap. But no one could ever question Coltrane's superb musicianship. This all-star session isn't merely an aesthetic bone to these critics, but a superb example of two masters blowing relaxed and free over a tight, intuitive rhythm section. There's Jackson's Modern Jazz Quartet collaborator Connie Kay on drums, master of understated swing; the elegant, eternally tasteful Hank Jones on piano; and Mr. P.C., Paul Chambers, one of the fathers of modern bass playing.

Miles Davis - E.S.P. (1965) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition Analog Collection SICP 1215}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 259 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 116 Mb | Full Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1965, 2006 Sony Music Japan / Columbia | SICP 1215 | DSD | HQD High Quality Disc
Jazz / Hard Bop / Modal Music / Trumpet

ESP marks the beginning of a revitalization for Miles Davis, as his second classic quintet – saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams – gels, establishing what would become their signature adventurous hard bop. Miles had been moving toward this direction in the two years preceding the release of ESP and he had recorded with everyone outside of Shorter prior to this record, but his addition galvanizes the group, pushing them toward music that was recognizably bop but as adventurous as jazz's avant-garde.

Keith Jarrett - Mysteries (1976) {2013 Japan Jazz The Best Series 24-bit Remaster UCCU-9988}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 286 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 103 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1976, 2013 Impulse! / Verve / Universal Japan | UCCU-9988
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Creative / Piano

Dark and moody work from Keith Jarrett – a record that builds strongly off his ensemble feeling of the Impulse years, but which also seems to carry a bit more of the introspective vibe he was building up in some of his more stripped down solo recordings! The group's still a great one here – with Dewey Redman on reeds, Charlie Haden on bass, Paul Motian on drums, and Guilhermo Franco on percussion – and the tunes, although long and somewhat free, still show Jarrett's great ear for a lyrical melody – carried off wonderfully without cliche, and still with more sharp edges than you might expect. Titles include "Rotation", "Everything That Lives Laments", "Flame", and "Mysteries".

Milt Jackson at the Museum of Modern Art is one of the many live jazz record dates that should be better known than it is. Perhaps it's because the LP has been unavailable in America since the early '70s; it was released on CD only briefly in Japan. Verve's brilliant Originals series has remedied this situation by issuing the gatefold-sleeve of the LP in a fine edition on compact disc (with the original liner notes pasted into a handsome booklet with the original photos). Released in 1965, shortly after the concert took place, this set is regarded by jazz historians as one of the greatest concerts ever to be performed during the MOMA's terrific free concert series during the '60s. During a rare respite from the Modern Jazz Quartet, Jackson was able to record as a solo artist with musicians of his own caliber. In this case his companions are pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter…

Miles Davis - E.S.P. (1965) {2000 SME Records Master Sound DSD Japan SRCS 9709}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks) +CUE+LOG -> 310 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 113 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 48 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2000 SME Records / Sony Music Japan | SRCS 9709 | DSD | Mini LP
Jazz / Hard Bop / Modal Music / Trumpet

ESP marks the beginning of a revitalization for Miles Davis, as his second classic quintet – saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams – gels, establishing what would become their signature adventurous hard bop. Miles had been moving toward this direction in the two years preceding the release of ESP and he had recorded with everyone outside of Shorter prior to this record, but his addition galvanizes the group, pushing them toward music that was recognizably bop but as adventurous as jazz's avant-garde.

Sonny Rollins Quartet: Jazz Jamboree video It was beautifully filmed (in color) at the Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw, Poland, during Rollins' first trip behind the Iron Curtain. Sonny Rollins Quartet: Jazz Jamboree film He plays here with his regular group of this period. Sonny Rollins Quartet: Jazz Jamboree review Pianist Mark Soskin and bassist Jerome Harris had first recorded with Sonny in April 1978, when both were professionally recorded live with the saxophonist in San Francisco, as part of a sextet that also included Donald Byrd on trumpet, Tony Williams on drums and Aurell Ray on electric guitar. Also features clips from a San Francisco performance that was also Jerome Harris'first collaboration with Rollins.

CD box set release from Jimi Hendrix consisting four CDs filled with lots of unreleased and rare tracks. This edition includes a bonus DVD with documentary newly taken by Bob Smeaton (famous with the film "Festival Express").

The great avant-garde jazz reedman David Murray, deftly captured on video one brilliant night at New York's jazz mecca, the Village Vanguard…